CCXLVI.

The hosts are numberless, the warriors fierce-- The encount'ring legions fighting hand to hand Noblest exploits achieved. How many a lance Asunder broken; God! How many shields In pieces split, how many hauberks wrenched! Splinters of shivered armor you might see Strew all the field, and verdant tender grass Vermillioned o'er by streams of human gore! The Emir to his people calls anew: "Barons strike down these Christian people!"--Hard And long the fight embittered by revenge And rage. Ne'er seen before nor will be seen Again such combat.--To the death they fight. Aoi.